1951 Chevrolet panelvan ignition problems
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1951 Chevrolet panelvan ignition problems
Hello. 2 weeks ago i bought My first american car, a 1951 Chevrolet panelvan that had been sitting in a garage for 30 Years. Today i have been trying to fire it up But ran into some problems.
I dont have a key to the car, But i used a jumper cable to Get the starter to turn over, and i have 6 volts in to coil and 6 volts out and in on the side of the distributor. When i open and close the breaker point by hand i Get a very weak and inconsisted spark on the points, But when i press the starter button and it turns over i dont Get any spark there. The gap is within spec. And i have been trying to use sandpaper on the points. I dont get any spark on plugs when i put on the distributor CAP on and test. Any advise?
and How Does the ignition switch kill power to coil? Because on My truck the starter have constant 6v when i connect battery and the coil is connected to the same place on the starter. The engine by the way is a straigth six. I would like to know How i can check if ITS a 216 or 235?
I dont have a key to the car, But i used a jumper cable to Get the starter to turn over, and i have 6 volts in to coil and 6 volts out and in on the side of the distributor. When i open and close the breaker point by hand i Get a very weak and inconsisted spark on the points, But when i press the starter button and it turns over i dont Get any spark there. The gap is within spec. And i have been trying to use sandpaper on the points. I dont get any spark on plugs when i put on the distributor CAP on and test. Any advise?
and How Does the ignition switch kill power to coil? Because on My truck the starter have constant 6v when i connect battery and the coil is connected to the same place on the starter. The engine by the way is a straigth six. I would like to know How i can check if ITS a 216 or 235?
CF Monarch
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From: kevinkpk
Jumper wire from the battery to the + on the coil, then try to crank it. Also, since it's been setting for so long, might be plug wires. Remove one of the plug wires, and replace it with the coil wire.
CF Monarch
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The starter always has battery voltage. The + on the coil is supposed to be connected to the ignition switch not the starter. There could be many things causing your problem. The condenser, the coil, rotor, points, distributor cap, wires and spark plugs.
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thank you for the replies. I finally have spark on the plugs now. Changed the points and condensator.
Just need to get it running now. Have been trying alittle today with starting fluid without any reaction, maybe wrong timing?
Would a v8 swap be easy in this car? my future plan is a v8 but if i dont get this engine running i can might aswell do it now.
Just need to get it running now. Have been trying alittle today with starting fluid without any reaction, maybe wrong timing?
Would a v8 swap be easy in this car? my future plan is a v8 but if i dont get this engine running i can might aswell do it now.
CF Monarch
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From: Miami, FL.
Do a compression check and if that is good then your problem is the timing. Make sure the spark plug wires are in the correct position. The firing order is 153624, With everything correct loosen the hold down clamp on the distributor and spin the distributor to different spots and try to crank it at each spot. A V8 will fit in there but you will have to add motor and transmission mounts. If your truck has a torque tube then you will also have to change that and the rear end assembly.
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Did a compression test. Dont have the exact results here But all was Good except the 2 last cylinders. Very low reading. Im using fresh gas from gas can.
Can the starter handle 12v? The 6v is soo slow. I was thinking about using 12v coil, disconnect dynamo and try cranking it with a 12v battery?
About the v8 swap. The trans in My car is a 3 speed Column shifter. Will a 350 v8 Fit on This trans?
And My last question today. Is there any big differences on the frame from a 1946 chevy 3100 pickup and a 1950 chevy 3100 pickup.
my dad bought a 46 pickup with rusty frame, and i know someone who might have a 1950 pickup frame for sale. Would be easy to just swap frame.
Can the starter handle 12v? The 6v is soo slow. I was thinking about using 12v coil, disconnect dynamo and try cranking it with a 12v battery?
About the v8 swap. The trans in My car is a 3 speed Column shifter. Will a 350 v8 Fit on This trans?
And My last question today. Is there any big differences on the frame from a 1946 chevy 3100 pickup and a 1950 chevy 3100 pickup.
my dad bought a 46 pickup with rusty frame, and i know someone who might have a 1950 pickup frame for sale. Would be easy to just swap frame.
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CF Monarch
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Miami, FL.
The starter can handle the 12 volts. That is what I am doing with 49 car. You will have to change the coil as well as all the light bulbs. Your gas gauge will also need a step down to 6 volts. The other gauges are mechanical so they will be ok. The 46 and 47 trucks are completely different. There was a major restyle for 47, so I don't think the frames are the same. Not sure, but I don't think the transmission will fit the V8.